Workers' Party faces closure after losing damages appeal

RELATED:
Court finds Workers' Party article defamatory
Workers' Party argues against libel ruling

THE Court of Appeals dismissed an petition by a Singapore opposition party against a large defamation award it cannot pay, paving the way for the party's closure, the court's decision obtained Thursday said.

Lawyers for the Workers' Party argued last month against a judge's order for the party to pay S$265,000 dollars to an MP of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and nine other members of the ethnic Indian community in Singapore.

The lower court found that MP R. Ravindran and the other members of the Indian community were defamed by a 1995 article in the Workers' Party newsletter, The Hammer, about an Indian community event.

The three-man appeals court headed by Chief Justice Yong Pung How upheld the decision, saying "we do not think that the damages awarded to the respondents were manifestly excessive, and we are not disposed to disturb the award."

"The appeal is therefore dismissed with costs," it said.

"We order that the deposit as security for costs be paid to the respondents or their solicitors to account of the costs," it added.

With the appeals court decision, a High Court can now decide on an appeal led by R. Ravindran to wind up the Workers' Party for failing to pay the damages and legal costs amounting to more than $511,000.

The Workers Party is one of two opposition parties in parliament. Under Singapore law, a political party unable to pay debts can be wound up like an insolvent company.

If the petition to wind up the party succeeds, its chairman, J.B. Jeyaretnam, a veteran government critic, and his party-mate Low Thia Khiang are likely to lose their seats in parliament.